The Brewers announced that third baseman Travis Shaw has been placed on the paternity list, with center field prospect Brett Phillips getting his first MLB promotion to temporarily take Shaw’s roster spot. Phillips is just a year removed from being a consensus top 100 prospect throughout the game, but a rough 2016 campaign in which he batted just .229/.332/.397 caused his stock to drop a ways heading into the ’17 season. He’s done well to restore some of the hype this year, however, hitting a robust .297/.369/.589 with 11 homers, 10 doubles and four triples, albeit in the hitter-friendly environs of Colorado Springs. Phillips’ first big league look seems likely to be brief in nature, given that he’s replacing someone on paternity leave, but his strong play could force him into the Brewers’ plans later this summer. Those interested in getting to know a bit more about Phillips can check out his 2015 appearance on the MLBTR Podcast.
More from the Central divisions…
- The Tigers announced today that an MRI on Justin Verlander came back clean, and he’ll be reevaluated as the week progresses. (Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press first reported that there was no structural damage revealed by the MRI.) Verlander exited his most recent start early due to discomfort in his groin, though it seems that he’s at least managed to stave off a serious injury. His next start, however, remains TBD according to the Tigers (though Fenech noted that he’s expected to make that outing). Verlander has had an up-and-down season, as his ERA presently rests at 4.63 through 70 innings of work. Outside of 2016 Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer, the Tigers have seen their rotation struggle. Verlander, Jordan Zimmermann, Matt Boyd and Daniel Norris have combined for a 5.18 ERA on the season, and of the four, Norris’ 4.47 ERA is the best mark.
- Although Eric Skoglund’s second start with the Royals wasn’t pretty, he’ll still likely remain in the rotation for the time being, manager Ned Yost told reporters (link via Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star). Danny Duffy will likely remain sidelined through the All-Star break, and Dodd notes that Nate Karns’ recovery from an extensor strain is progressing rather slowly. “I need starters,” Yost said flatly. “I don’t have Karns. I don’t have Duffy. So I imagine [Skoglund’s] going to get another start. That’s not a fair judge right there (on Sunday).”
- The Cardinals’ decision not to add an impact bat this offseason is biting the team, writes Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, but Ortiz also argues that at this point it’s too late to make a significant play for a bat. Adding the necessary caliber of player would be too costly to a farm system that has routinely produced quality big leaguers that help to build a sustainable contender in St. Louis. The fact that the NL Central is weaker than expected could still allow the Cards to sneak into the postseason via the Wild Card and hope that their pitching can carry them, Ortiz concludes, adding that the offense and improved defense should once again be offseason priorities.
The Laugh in The Show!!
It is not so much that a bat was not acquired but that the bats we have have fallen off the face of the earth when it comes to hitting.
wild card for cardinals? if they can pass two other teams in the west and another in the central. not likely. must win central to get in.
They could win the central, but they’ve been plagued with issues. Once you fix one problem, others come up. The last 2 games, 2 starters have had one just disgusting inning that has cost them the game, while the bullpen and hitting have been better.
Agreed. West is too good. And I have to believe the Cubs will turn it on at some point.
“The Cardinals’ decision not to add an impact bat this offseason is biting the team.”
“Fowler wasn’t defined as an “impact bat?” I know he is no superstar, but he was definetly one of the best position player free agents on the market last year.
He’s more of a complimentary piece imo. An impact bat would’ve been Edwin encarnacion, Brian dozier or Jean segura
I’d add Justin Turner to that list.
Fowler is a complimentary piece but Segura is a impact bat? You realize Fowler, Dozier, & EE have posted similar OWAR values the last two years right?
It was a shallow class of free agents this year.
for big impact it would need to have bean a trade or EE
The Cardinals had an impact that on their roster the whole time and just couldn’t figure out how to get the best out of him. Matt Adams couldn’t do anything right in St.Louis…… but the minute he gets traded to the Braves, he’s a superstar….. okay so he’s not a superstar but he sure is smacking the crap out of the ball. He certainly has become “an impact bat” in their lineup!!!
I’m starting to think that Mo needs to get fired for this team to really go anywhere. He sure seems to be awfully afraid to make a mistake….. and that’s a methodology that is disastrous.
Turner would have been an excellent addition…… a cleanup hitter who plays third base.
Mark Reynolds would have come extremely cheap and has been incredibly productive so far.
I personally think that there is something else going on in the St.Louis clubhouse. There doesn’t seem to be any unity amongst the players. And when there’s a bad environment, players don’t play very well.
SunTrust is preeeetty hitter friendly though
I find it interesting that nobody mentions firing the hitting coach. Even the base coaches. Everyone says Matheny and I agree but hell the others are responsible too! Something is wrong in the clubhouse! Either they have become spoiled or they don’t like who they are playing for.
they’re too worried about the hand signals they give the dugout when they get on base.
Maloney is an awful 3rd base coach
Cards beat writers have finally caught on to what most of us knew all along….cards need an impact 4 hitter that would make Carpenter and the rest of the lineup more comfortable not trying to do too much
maybe it’s a mutiny. cardinal players are not playing up to their potential so matheny or mo or a host of others get fired.
Are they being led by Hector Barbosa?
There’s no way the Cardinals are winning a wild card spot with how well the NL West is playing. Their best bet is winning the division and even that isn’t likely.
As much as I like Mozeliak, he got us into this mess, now it’s coming back to bite him. This team looks awful. Every night I watch them I end up wondering to myself who is going to blow this game.
“The offense and improved defense should once again be offseason priorities.” Key word there is SHOULD.
Instead of tanking the teams players from the Cardinals Team, they should tank all of the Coach’s and Manager. You might be surprised as how well the current players on the team can play with new coach’s. We know they would play better with a different manager, but that won’t happen unless it’s an owners commandment !!!
Vive Oquendo!!
Please